La Penitence woman is latest to be charged in online romance scheme 

Susan Richards, 25, of Go Slow Avenue, North East La Penitence, Georgetown was Wednesday charged by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) with conspiracy to defraud.

Richards appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Chief Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan where she pleaded not guilty and was remanded to Prison. She was unrepresented.

Based on reports received by SOCU, Richards who is a Sales Representative was the recipient of $85, 000 sent to her by the victim with the understanding that she will receive a package containing expensive gift items from her Facebook boyfriend.

She is alleged to have acted as a third party for a person who befriended the victim via Facebook.

Richards is one of four recipients whom the victim sent monies. Last week SOCU charged John Patrick Lewis with the said offence, he is also one of the four persons who received monies from the victim.

The victim’s Facebook boyfriend provided her with all of Richards’ personal information and the money was sent using Western Union. To date she has not received any package and her Facebook boyfriend disappeared.

On July 15, SOCU instituted similar charges against John Patrick Lewis of Williamsburg Village, Corentyne, Berbice. The Head of the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) Assistant Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh is once urging on all Guyanese to be vigilant against Package Delivery and Romance Scams and he also encourages everyone to report such scams immediately.